May 2020
Pavilion Press
News, Events & Happenings at The Larsen Pavilion at Shell Point
Welcome to the
Larsen Pavilion
Rachel Zellers Larsen Pavilion Administrator Julie Dewitt Director of Nursing Pam Downing Assistant Director of Nursing
Life
When Returns to Normal
First Floor: Rachel Major Nurse Manager Second Floor: Amy Nicholson Interm Nurse Manager Third Floor: Lindsey Bryant Nurse Manager Laurie Kjoller Resident/Family Services Coordinator Tacey Larimer-Tettaton Activities Supervisor
15071 Shell Point Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33908
(239) 415-5442
By Rachel Zellers, Director of Long Term Care
A
s fear over the spread of COVID-19 continues and Social Distancing is now the norm, I often hear people comment on “I can hardly wait for life to return to normal.” I also hear some people talk about how life will never be “normal” again. I tend to agree with that sentiment. But is that all bad? Our residents have lived through many changes and challenging times. Although their numbers are dwindling, we have some residents from the Greatest Generation. According to research sociologist Glen Elder, Jr., “They came out of the hardships of the Great Depression with an ability to know how to survive and solve problems.” The majority of our residents are from the
Silent Generation. As a result of living during a time of rebuilding our country economically, this generation learned to work hard and appreciate the “small things in life.” Was that a bad thing? I don’t think so! For my generation (yes, I’m a Boomer), the major impacts have been the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights movement, economic fluctuations, the explosion of technology, and 9/11. I see each of these as shaping the person I am now, the decisions I made about raising my children, and my attitude towards work. But with all these changes, both good and bad, I think my generation lost something. We lost the close connection to family. We lost our
Pavilion Press
Continued: When Life Returns to Normal appreciation for small things. Could it be that the forced isolation of COVID-19 will bond the nuclear family again? Could it be that the inability to see extended family will give us a greater appreciation for the value that they bring to our lives? Could it be that experiencing empty shelves and hard to obtain “essential” items will cause us to relook at what we truly need? Will times of loss of employment and austerity teach us to make do just like the Greatest Generation did and to appreciate the small things in life like the Silent Generation? I believe a change in perspective would benefit our society.
MASK
In times of crisis, it becomes clear to us that we cannot control our circumstances. The self-reliance that many Americans pride themselves on isn’t effective anymore. We come to a place where we understand that God is the One in control. We need to rely on Him for provision, for health, and yes, sometimes for comfort as we grieve the loss of a loved one. We need to follow His example in loving others and supporting others in their time of need. Only as a community who truly cares for each other will we come out of this situation stronger than we started. And I contend that it is a good thing.
Makers
By Emily Rose, Public Relations Coordinator
Terry Wellman
T
erry Wellman, who serves as the executive assistant to Shell Point President & CEO Martin Schappell, has had a passion for sewing and quilting for quite some time. When Terry learned of the nation’s healthcare shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), she knew that she
wanted to help. Terry, along with Administrative Assistant Sharon Griffin, assembled mask kits that included the sewing instructions, fabric, ties, and thread provided by Shell Point. Shell Point resident volunteers who share her passion joined in sewing masks with more than 680 of them completed,
and the number continues to grow! “We want to express our sincere appreciation to these volunteers for their creativity in providing these additional masks to the current supply we have for our healthcare employees,” said Christy Skinner, vice president of Healthcare Services at Shell Point.
Resident Volunteers: • Audrey Bertossa (Harbor Court) • Barbara Heatherly (Royal Bonnet) • Donna Benson (Turban) • Jane Isebrand (Parkwood) • Jean Willliamson (Lakewood) • Joan Morgan (Cameo) • Joann Fagnan (Harbor Court) • Judy Kaplan (Turban) • Pat Bayes (Periwinkle) • Phyllis Hermann (Turban) • Suzanne Decosmo (Turban) • Wilma Sanders (Royal Bonnet) • Mary Varnum (Lucina) • Lillian McDaniel (Rosemont) • Thea Martin (Lucina)
• Bonnie Bishop (Eagles Preserve) • Julie Black (Cellana) • Betty Whiting (Rosemont) • Judy Turner (Cellana) • Diane Martin (Nautilus) • Gerri Harris (Cameo) • Joan Bell (Junonia) • Pat Hagle (Junonia) • Nancy Haring (Parkwood) • Patricia Meredith (Sundial) • Natalie Gerig (Lakewood) • Dawn Kaufman (The Estuary) • Shelby Merkel (Macoma) • Renee Maxwell (Cameo)
Gerri Harris
Pavilion Press ACTIVITY W
hat has been going on in the Pavilion during our COVID 19 quarantine? We have been busy decorating and eating
RECAP cookies, spending time outdoors, facetiming with our families, doing puzzles. The pictures are worth a thousand words!
National Skilled Nursing Care Week MAY 10-16 IS NATIONAL SKILLED NURSING CARE WEEK National Skilled Nursing Care Week, formerly known as National Nursing Home Week, is one of the most important events of the year for nursing homes. Held annually since 1967 and always beginning on Mother’s Day, National Skilled
Nursing Care Center Week (NSNCW) is May 10-16, 2020. The observance is sponsored by the American Health Care Association and recognizes the role of skilled nursing care centers in caring for America’s seniors and individuals with disabilities.
2020 THEME: SHARING OUR WISDOM “Sharing Our Wisdom” is the 2020 theme for National Skilled Nursing Care Center Week. Residents offer a unique perspective based on their life experiences, reminding us to be present, celebrate the small moments, and value connections. NSNCW 2020 will focus on the collective wisdom that residents can offer and share.”
Pavilion Press
MAY 2020
S
pecial event highlights have been listed in the Pavilion Press newsletter for some time. However, this information is available in more complete form by checking the calendar of events that is posted throughout the building – or by contacting the Activities department at (239) 415-5445. The removal of this special events highlight creates additional space that will allow for a greater focus on resident photos within the newsletter.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Meleanor “Mel” Deming........ 6 Elva Matthews....................... 10 Dorothy “Dottie” Desoiza..... 16 Nancy Healey........................ 18 SaraJane Maass...................... 19 Richard Gordon.................... 19 Carol Anti............................. 27 William “Bill” Dabrowski..... 30
Memory In Loving
Regina Webber............March 13 Holden Mitchell..........March 16 Martha McMeans.......March 27 Rennison Robson.......March 27 Russell Shaver.............March 31 James Whitehead............April 8
FOREVER by Ron Wertz, Assistant Chaplain
E
arly in my engineering career that cabooses were unnecessary. I had an opportunity to Computers and electronic “end-ofwork for a company that spe- the-train devices” took the little red cialized in manufacturing box cars caboose’s place. for railroads. One of the challenges Isn’t it reassuring to know that presented to this company was the God is forever, an ageless presence ever-increasing expense of caboose with us, even in difficult times? maintenance for the railThroughout the Bible, roads. Since the 1830’s, God promises He will “Be strong and every train included a never leave or forsake courageous. Do caboose that provided a us. He will be with us not be afraid or vantage place to survey always. God has been terrified for it is the train’s safe operawith us through war, tion. On long trips, it the Lord your God famine, storms, fire, was where the crew ate, who goes with you. and even now, through slept and did administra- He will never leave a virus pandemic. He you nor forsake tive work. We designed longs for us to call on you.” and manufactured the Him to help us. Don’t best caboose with cutwait until the next time Deuteronomy 31:6 ting-edge technology; you see a train rolling one that would hold up down the tracks withagainst massive impact forces and out a caboose to be reminded that last forever. the love of God is forever. Rather, Just think about the last time let’s remind ourselves of unchangeyou watched a train pass; the thun- able promises found in His Word: derous roar of horsepower mov- “Be strong and courageous. Do ing thousands of tons down the not be afraid or terrified for it is tracks, that click clack rhythm of the Lord your God who goes with freight cars passing by as you count you. He will never leave you nor them, anticipating the appearance forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6), of the red caboose. WHAT? NO and in Matthew 28:20,“…behold, CABOOSE?! By the 1980s, technol- I am with you always, to the end ogy had advanced to such a degree of the age.”